For state address in 2020, Michigan Gov. Whitmer still working on 2019 goals
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge) LANSING — As Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer prepares to deliver her 2020 State of the State Address, a review by Bridge Magazine shows the first-term Democrat is still working to complete most of the goals she outlined in her 2019 speech. Bold plans to fix crumbling roads, resolve an education funding […]
Michigan offers little help for child care. That may change in 2020
by Ron French (Bridge) Michigan helps families less with child care costs than almost any other state. Leaders from across Michigan have been meeting for six months in search of solutions to the complex policy issue, increasingly acknowledged to be an educational and economic drag on the state. The group, hosted by the Grand Rapids […]
3 coronavirus tests ruled ‘negative’ in Michigan; new case investigated
by Robin Erb (Bridge) U.S. labs have ruled out the potentially deadly new coronavirus in three of four suspected cases in Michigan, the state’s health department said Monday. On Friday, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services had announced that three people — two from Washtenaw and another from Macomb — had “presented with […]
Gov. Whitmer launching effort to undercut Michigan’s third-grade reading law
by Ron French (Bridge) Undercutting Michigan’s controversial third-grade reading law, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will unveil in her State of the State address Wednesday an initiative to help struggling readers avoid flunking and advance to fourth grade. The administration will partner with several philanthropic foundations to help educate parents about the exemptions to retention available to […]
Highways win, local streets left ‘in the dust’ by Whitmer’s $3.5B roads plan
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge) LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is scaling back her plan to “fix the damn roads,” unveiling a $3.5 billion bond proposal that would help rebuild Michigan highways without a tax increase but saddle the state with decades of new debt. The first-term Democrat announced her latest plan Wednesday night in her […]
Michigan may study whether tolls are solution to state’s awful roads
by Riley Beggin (Bridge) LANSING — The Michigan Senate approved a bill Tuesday to require the state Department of Transportation to explore the feasibility of implementing toll roads and bridges. The bill, supported by the Department of Transportation, would direct the department to hire outside consultants to conduct a study recommending optimal tolling rates, locations […]
Horky sets record–and exceeds it!
It was an exciting evening last Thursday night at Manchester High School as it was fairly certain that senior captain Tyler Horky was about to break a 32-year old record in MHS basketball history. During warm-ups, Horky appeared calm and collected, but knowing he was only seven points away from his goal as the first […]
An introduction to Interim Superintendent, Kevin Upton
As of January 6, Manchester has a new interim Superintendent, Kevin Upton. Upton, who is also a WISD employee, will be spending approximately half-time with Manchester Community Schools through June 30, to help with the transition to a new, permanent superintendent. According to a draft timeline provided by the Board of Education, the Superintendent job […]
WCCD awards conservation recognition to area agriculture
Submitted by Kathleen Graddy The Washtenaw County Conservation District honored several local family farmers as well as conservation-based activities at its annual meeting last Thursday night. Bill and Mike VanRiper of Lima Township received the 2019 Conservation Farmer of the Year award. The brothers farm 640 acres of soy beans, alfalfa, corn and wheat, using […]
Worth Repeating seeks volunteers and more
The time is coming … Worth Repeating is facing a countdown to its opening day, March 4! The timeline has been established and the next volunteer meeting is set for 7 pm on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 7 pm at the Kingsley-Jenter House, 302 E. Main Street. Invite your friends–all kinds of volunteers are needed! […]
